rev. John Branning
Lead Pastor
John has been the Lead Pastor of Central since June 2013. He earned an Associates Degree from East Mississippi Community College, a Bachelors of Science from Mississippi State University, and a Masters of Divinity from Memphis Theological Seminary. He also serves as the Brigade Chaplain for the 185th Theater Aviation Brigade with the Mississippi Army National Guard. He is married to Traci and together they have three boys (BJ, Aidan, and Jasper).
Rev. Bob Peden
Music and Worship
Benji Riddle
Student MinistRy
Benji serves as our Youth Minister. He is a native of Mobile, Alabama, but has lived in Louisiana, Florida, and Oklahoma, and now calls Meridian home. He is a graduate of Central Christian College of the Bible, and is a current graduate student at Grand Canyon Theological Seminary in the Master's of Divinity program. He is an 11 year veteran of youth ministry and has a passion for seeing God work in and through youth and young adults.
Benji is married to Lesley Riddle, and they have 4 lovely daughters. Benji enjoys being outside, out in Creation, even if it’s just on the back porch with a cup of coffee, spending time with his family, whether it be at a park for a picnic lunch or all piled on the couch for weekly movie night, and is an avid reader. He is a fan of Alabama Crimson Tide football, a well-told story, and good BBQ!
Connect with Benji on Social Media
https://www.facebook.com/benji.riddle
OR Search
"themirthpastor"
on Instagram or Twitter
Sabrina Williams
Children and Family Ministries
Sabrina serves as Director for Children and Family Ministries. She plans and oversees programming for Nursery - 5th Grade students at Central. She also serves as primary staff person for family retreats, church-wide events, and community events. Sabrina has served in children's ministry, in one capacity or the other, most of her adult life. She has a certification in Christian Education from Columbia College and has served as Central's Children's Ministry Director for the past 15 years.
Sabrina is married to Rick, and they have three children by birth, three by marriage, and seven grandchildren. (Michelle and Robert Mayfield, Will, Aubrye, and Miley; Angela and Cyle Keith, Brett and Weston; Lee and Melanie Williams, Hunter and Ella.) In her spare time, Sabrina's number one passion is her family, and nothing inspires or refreshes her more than her grandchildren. She also enjoys sewing, crocheting, antiquing, gardening, cooking, and playing the piano. She enjoys all styles of music, but her favorite Christian group is Selah.
Her favorite verse in her sometimes crazy life is: "Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10
